Arts and Cultural Heritage Grant

ARAC Mission

This mission statement grows from a conviction that the arts improve the quality of life in the region.

ARAC Vision

ARAC believes all people should have opportunities to engage in the arts. Accordingly, ARAC’s vision for the region is that:

• The arts are integrated into the social, political, and economic fabric and identity of every community in the region.
• Artists, arts organizations, and arts activities thrive and contribute to the regional economy.
• Community members and audiences are arts literate.

Arts and Cultural Heritage Grant Program

The Arts and Cultural Heritage Grant Program provides funding of up to $5,000 to individuals or organizations for projects that support arts activities with both community significance and authenticity to the community represented in the art. This program supports artistic traditions that come from and are rooted in the cultural life of a community. Community members may share a common ethnicity, geographic or regional identity, occupation, language, or tribal affiliation. These arts are learned and passed on through community-based systems of training and education where younger generations learn and attain mastery of a form by observation and practice or through apprenticeships with elders.

Eligibility

_You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website._

• Who Can Apply?
  • State-registered and federally recognized non-profit, tax-exempt organizations with prior year arts expenses of less than $40,000
  • Accredited schools
  • Tribal governments
  • Units of government
  • Your organization must be primarily based (permanent address) in Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, or St.
  • If you have no outstanding or overdue final reports from past funding.
  • Both artists and arts organizations may apply only once per grant round, and cannot receive funding from the same grant program twice in a fiscal year.
  • In a single ARAC fiscal year (July 1-June 30), an organization can receive grant funding of up to $25,000 total from applications reviewed in all eligible programs
  • If your group has not yet received non-profit, tax-exempt status, you may apply by using a non-profit organization, accredited school, tribal government, or other unit of government as a fiscal sponsor.
• What Can I Fund?
  • Art supplies such as canvas, paints, fabrics, clay, etc.
  • Funds to pay volunteer and administrative costs associated with your project.
  • Advertising, marketing and other promotional materials.
  • Equipment or technology purchases are allowed but must be integral to the artistic project proposed and must be less than 25% of the total request.
  • An approved project must begin within six months.
  • This is not a complete list. Please reach out if you have other ideas that don’t fall under the “Can’t Fund” category below.

Ineligibility

• What Can’t I Fund?
  • A project where you are also applying to MN State Arts Board and have received or may receive funding from them. If you have previously applied to MSAB and did not receive the funds, you may apply here if the other qualifications are met.
  • A project that won’t begin for more than six months.
  • Equipment more than 25% of the total request amount.
  • The project attempts to influence any state or federal legislation.
  • The request includes making improvements to the applicant’s private property.
  • The project requires excessive entry, exhibition, or tuition fees or work toward a degree.
  • The project primarily involves developing school curriculum plans or teaching materials.
  • The project promotes religious socialization including proselytization.
  • The project was once supported by state general fund appropriations.
  • The activity involves out-of-state travel (except for Professional Development Small Grant).
  • The project is designed for a private audience and is not open to the general public.
  • The project is for capital improvement, construction, or purchase of property.
  • The funds are requested for general operating support (except the Operating Support Grant).
  • The funds are requested for a project that serves as a benefit, fundraiser, or donation.